Kunle Afolayan: Sahara Group’s filmmaking contest to produce many success stories

Kunle Afolayan, Nigerian movie director, says several future stars are among the 20 finalists of Sahara Group’s ‘Grooming Film Extrapreneurs’ competition.

The finalists were selected after a rigorous screening of over 150 docu-film entries by Afolayan.

Describing the screening process as “nostalgic and indicative of a bright future for the film industry,” Afolayan said Nigerian youths will always rise to the occasion – when given the right platforms.

“We saw everything we were looking out for in good measure; overall film-making capability, style of storytelling, subject matter interpretation, audio and visual quality, aesthetics as well as understanding of the perspective of a story.

“This has been a hugely successful project for Sahara Group and my team and we are confident that many success stories will emerge from these filmmakers.”

A brainchild of Sahara Foundation, ‘Grooming Film Extrapreneuers’ is a novel initiative designed to provide a hub for budding filmmakers to hone their skills through collaboration and access to shared expertise.

Unveiled in June 2016, the competition required young filmmakers to create 15-minute documentaries that capture and celebrate entrepreneurs at work across the nation, using the theme: My Nigeria, My Platform…Nigeria through an entrepreneur’s eyes.

The shortlisted 20 finalists include Albert Adeshoga, Iniabasi Udosen, Babtunde Oyewunmi, Heaven Kalu, Azeez Hussein, Onome Egba, Dorothy Njemanze, Ashkay Makar, David Medugu and Alabi Kayode. Others are: Jude Dare, Efe Edosio, Joseph Duke, Oluwatobi Yeye, Hamed Adedeji, Georg Nakanda, Chineye Balogun, Ezekiah Balogun, Daniel Ecwalu and Victor Enam.

Bethel Obioma, head, corporate communications, Sahara Group, said the project reinforces the company’s commitment to facilitating sustainable development through entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.

“We received amazing entries including one from Uganda. The riveting stories of entrepreneurs whose businesses were showcased in the entries underpin our confidence in a better future for Nigeria.

“Sahara is proud of these 20 finalists – the number 20 is commemorative of our 20^th anniversary this year – and we look forward to the emergence of the ultimate winner. Most definitely these young entrepreneurs will be the next big names in the film industry.”

“We are also confident that our extrapreneurship platform will create opportunities for funding, advisory and sundry alliances for the businesses highlighted in the docu-films.”

The overall winner – who will soon be unveiled – will undergo a mentorship programme with Kunle Afolayan for six months.

Sahara Foundation is the corporate responsibility arm of Sahara Group, Africa’s leading power, energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over eight countries across four continents.